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What A 14th-Century Novel Teaches Us About Social Distancing Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

Rebecca Messbarger is a cultural historian of medicine, as well as a professor of Italian at Washington University. There, she teaches a class called Disease, Madness and Death — Italian Style. She begins the course by discussing the classic Italian novel “The Decameron.” Written in 1353, Giovanni Boccaccio’s work is framed by a story of medieval social distancing during the bubonic plague. Messbarger never imagined that it would be so relevant to today’s time. She joins host Sarah Fenske to talk about social distancing — both how it provided the framing device for “The Decameron" and was also at the root of St. Louis health commissioner Max Starkloff’s approach to the 1918 influenza pandemic.

How St. Paul Sandwiches Became A St. Louis Delicacy Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

St. Louis has an abundance of unique culinary creations that locals don’t care to convince outsiders to embrace: one being a St. Paul sandwich. It’s an egg patty topped with lettuce, tomato and pickles, and held together by white bread smothered in mayo. Regional eaters can now find variations of the sandwich that include pork belly, ham or shrimp. Sauce Magazine’s Matt Sorrell recently delved into how exactly the cult favorite was created. Sorrell joins host Sarah Fenske to talk about the sandwich’s rise to fame as a St. Louis classic. Also joining the discussion are Ben Welch, the Midwestern executive chef who’s been eating St. Pauls since he was a kid, and Kristin Liu, whose family owned Chinese Gourmet Restaurant in Florissant from 1984 until it closed in 2017.

A Conversation With The Author Of 'Famished: Eating Disorders And Failed Care in America' Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

According to Rebecca Lester, the author of “Famished: Eating Disorders and Failed Care in America,” eating disorders are among the most misunderstood medical conditions. For instance, she says there is an assumption that eating disorders are mostly a problem for upper-middle-class white girls. While that’s not completely untrue, it’s just a sliver of the story. In “Famished,” Lester looks closely at the impact of common misconceptions, as well as the way the health care system fails to treat these disorders.

Experts Share Coping Strategies For Stressful Times Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

Schools are closed. Libraries are closed. Many restaurants have closed — with more almost certainly on the way. Health officials say all of those measures are essential, as the ongoing spread of coronavirus has led to best practices of “social distancing.” But in addition to COVID-19, the coronavirus has also spread widespread angst. People are worried about their jobs and their families, even as they confront a seemingly endless cascade of worrying headlines. In this episode of the talk show, listeners share their ideas for de-stressing in a stressful time, along with two experts: Tony Buchanan, a professor of psychology at St. Louis University and co-director of its neuroscience program, and Dr. Jessi Gold, an assistant professor in Washington University’s Department of Psychiatry.

Healthcare Providers Limited In Number Of Tests They Can Send For Processing Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

There is a lot of anxiety swirling right now over the new coronavirus. There’s also a lot of misinformation. In this interview, Sarah Fenske talks with infectious disease physician Dr. Alexis Elward to help set the record straight and answer listener questions and concerns.

St. Louis Mayor Says Future Of Dine-In Eating At Local Restaurants Still Uncertain Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

One day after regional leaders announced broad new rules to limit gatherings in the St. Louis area to 50 people or fewer, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson stressed their importance in “flattening the curve” of infections caused by the coronavirus across the U.S. Krewson stressed that while restaurants and bars are still open, they are subject to the 50-person limit at any point in time. They are also recommending that eateries move tables and other furniture so there is a six-foot space between diners. In this episode, Krewson also addresses restaurateurs’ questions about whether the region will follow the lead of Illinois and Ohio and shut down on-site dining.

One Thing The Coronavirus Hasn’t Canceled: The Illinois Primary Election Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

St. Louis Public Radio's Metro East reporter Eric Schmid details Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's big steps to slow the spread of coronavirus ahead of the state's primary election.

The State Of St. Louis Print Media Mar 13, 2020

Show notes

It’s been a tough decade for the media business, particularly for outlets focused on disseminating the written word. Publications have closed across the U.S. Many newspapers no longer offer daily editions. And many of the online news outlets vying to replace (or at least supplement) them have seen layoffs of their own. But despite a host of challenges to the advertising-based business model, St. Louis finds itself with a surprisingly robust print-media landscape. In this segment we discuss St. Louis’ media history and the current media landscape with Frank Absher, a radio veteran and the executive director of the St. Louis Media History Foundation; Gilbert Bailon, the editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; longtime local writer Jeannette Cooperman, who is an inductee in this year’s St. Louis Media Hall of Fame; and Antonio French, a former alderman and mayoral candidate who became adept at using Twitter and Vine to chronicle the Ferguson protests in real time. French also recently started a pair of weekly newspapers.

Join The 'STL Exchange' 314 Day Party For $3.14 Mar 12, 2020

Show notes

314 Day is this Saturday, and that means St. Louisans near and far are gearing up to show up and out for their city. The local holiday began as an informal celebration by residents — particularly in the black community. Within that community, people often gather for block parties, neighborhood barbecues and club events when the last numbers of their zip code or street number correspond with a date on the calendar. A day named for St. Louis’ main area code was a natural way to take the party city-wide. St. Louis natives Ryan Escobar, Tenelle Winmore and Sierra Brown are hosting their biggest 314 Day celebration yet. Called “STL Exchange,” the party will take place at the Contemporary Art Museum. Escobar and Winmore join host Sarah Fenske to share what makes them St. Louis-proud, preview the event and discuss how they hope to create a more united city.

Why The 2020 Census Matters For Missouri Mar 12, 2020

Show notes

Across the metro area, residents of both Missouri and Illinois should start expecting a letter in their mailboxes that only makes its appearance once every 10 years. Forms for the 2020 census are expected to begin to arrive March 12. Host Sarah Fenske delves into why filling out the census is important, what’s different on this year’s form, and how the coronavirus pandemic could affect population counts. Joining the discussion to answer questions about the process and address potential concerns is Alex Rankin. She is Missouri Foundation of Health's interim director of health policy and is running the organization’s efforts to promote the 2020 census.

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